Disclaimer : I don't own Skip Beat!

Chapter 13 : Kuon's Attempts

While Kyouko was still taking two days off from acting, and Kuon didn't have anything in his schedule, they had delivery order for lunch leisurely. Kuon had told Kyouko to not overwork herself and forbade her from cooking. So, she had to be content with delivery food instead. Since Kyouko didn't appreciate any kind of fast food, she ordered from Daruma-ya instead. Before the food came, Kuon had to endure her long talk about how a proper nutritious meal should be and how she had threatened him to always eat the proper meal. Kyouko had told him that Daruma-ya was the place she worked and lived before she moved out from there. She also suggested eating there next time if she could go home earlier and if he didn't have anything in his schedule.

Kyouko had noticed the Cain and Setsu dolls were sitting sweetly arm in arm, in an open space, in her walk-in-closet, when she changed her clothes last night. She had tried to act nonchalant. She had tried to not initiate any talk about the dolls. But Kuon wouldn't let Kyouko back-off of the dolls talk. He really wanted to know why she made a doll of him, or rather of Cain. He had been sure that it was her handmade cause there was no way for the dolls being sold in a store. The other dolls confirmed it as well.

"So, you enjoyed playing dolls? I don't know that you had it in you." He grinned.

Kyouko blushed on this. Gee, does he have to ask?

"Ah… but you still believed in fairy," He teased.

"Well, Prince Corn, Your Highness from the fairy kingdom, anyone will believe if you say that you're a fairy," she snapped at him. "Don't tease me!"

He laughed and brushed it off. "So, why were you making those two dolls bigger than the others? You made those dolls right?"

"Um, nothing in particular," she said casually, but her slight blushing face betrayed her. "Yes, I made it."

"That's adorable! Doll's couple huh? I'd really like to see the real couple." He smirked.

"It's not possible!"

"Why not? You must have certain models for them right? Don't tell me you fantasised them? I recognised your two friends, that bastard, that little girl and even shachou in doll forms."

"Err… Cain is not in Japan? And Setsu is me anyway," she said with a forced smile on her face. "Can you please refer to it as observing instead? Your pick of words are horrible, Kuon-san."

He laughed. "Heh… Their names are Cain and Setsu? So, you dated Cain before that bastard?" He knew that it wasn't true. He just loved seeing her being confused and perhaps got flustered for the questions. "Why'd you break up? Because that bastard?"

Kyouko was stunned by the question. She snapped, "I didn't date Cain. He was only my fake brother. He didn't even think of me as woman. I was just a lowly actress anyway." She glared at him.

He froze. Did she just say that she was a lowly actress? Who say I didn't think of her as a woman. She's always a woman in my eyes. A very lovely one…

"Err… Kyouko. You aren't a lowly actress," he tried to soothe her anger. "You're a good one."

"Thanks for your compliment." She forced a smile.

"Why'd you call me Cain before? Are we alike perhaps?"

"Aside from your horrible eating habits and your heights, you aren't anything alike," she answered smoothly. "Oh and coincidentally, you two are half Japanese." Yay! I found the reasons. Fuh, so that's why I inadvertently called him Cain. They were alike in that area. She was doing a banzai pose with hallelujah song in the background inside her mind.

"I'm a quarter though," Kuon said.

"That's right. Sorry." She said. "I think I admired Cain a lot. He was a good actor. He was a bit scary but he's a nice guy, and his acting was incredible. I think my Natsu or Mio weren't anything near his BJ… He was just too good and too real. If I must say, I respect him. I actually hated getting the antagonist roles despite anything Dad had told me. But seeing how he acted as the reaper, I thought otherwise. He's God of Antagonist. I wanted to be like him if ever." There was an image of Cain in black cloak and black wings. A black pearly halo was above his head. He was holding a bible of Antagonist.

He was dumbfounded and he laughed out loud hearing her last remark. "God of Antagonist? What was that?"

Her head snapped up at him. She huffed and pointed a finger at him. "If you want to know him, you can watch The Tragic Marker. You'll know what I meant. I have the DVD. It is in the second drawer below the television," Kyouko said. "I think you'll enjoy the idea of being an antagonist after you watch it."

Kuon tried to suppress his laughter so he only managed to nod. He didn't think he would enjoy what she said. Watching that movie would only bring back his anger and despair. He had enough of it.

"By the way, can I watch the movie or series you were in? You've done a lot acting there, right? Can you tell me some of the title?" she asked eagerly. "I think perhaps I can find it online. And I have time to watch for now."

"Kyouko, I…"

"Sorry, I'd better open the door first," she said when she noticed her door bell was ringing.

She walked away and disappeared from Kuon's sight.

Kuon laughed a little. God, she said? That was too much… It was only me. It was Kuon. And Kuon is a disgusting creature. I'd rather being Ren, the Ren you and I created together.

Meanwhile…

Kyouko opened the door and was surprised when a bouquet of white roses blocked her views.

"Err… I'm sorry?" she asked hesitantly.

"It's me, Kyouko-san!" Kouki said whilst lowering the bouquet and shoved it to Kyouko's hand. "For you!"

Kyouko blinked. "Ah, thank you, Kouki-san! You really don't have to send me flowers every day." Even though she said so, she accepted the roses gratefully. She took it and the soothing fragrant attacked her sense of smell. She smiled gently.

Kouki looked at the young lady in front of him and smiled softly. "I heard that you're sick?"

"Ah, yes," she answered. "Um, do you want to come in?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry but I just wanted to deliver the flowers for you. I have a plane to catch." He smiled apologetically.

"Oh, you shouldn't have delivered it by yourself. You're busy, right?"

"I wanted to."

Kyouko smiled. "Thank you for coming and for the flowers."

"You're welcome. I hope you get well soon," he said. "I've got to go now." He come forward and hugged her briefly.

She was surprised, but managed to say, "Be careful on your way then."

He waved her goodbye and she closed the door. She then turned around. "Kyaa…" Kyouko squeaked. "Kuon, don't scare me!" she said when she noticed Kuon was already behind her.

Kuon didn't say anything. He eyed the bouquet and smiled his lying gentlemanly smile to her.

He's angry? Why is he angry? Kyouko shuddered at the thought of the Demon Lord.

"Um, are you angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" he asked back, still smiling brightly.

You are! she accused inwardly. Kyouko walked past Kuon and shudder involuntarily. He's definitely angry!

"Wait, Kyouko!" he said sweetly.

She turned back to him nervously. She was getting even more terrified after hearing how sweet he sounded.

He walked to her and swept her off her feet. She froze and looked at him. Kuon smiled seductively to her and her eyes widened in fear. Why'd the Emperor of the night appear now? Oh no, he's going to eat me. She screamed in her thought.

Kyouko blinked confusedly. They were settled in living room sofa comfortably with Kyouko sitting in the end of the sofa and Kuon in the other end minutes later. Kuon had set the DVR on. He had put a movie called 'Wild Drive' inside it. It was Kyouko's movie when she played the rebellious teenager with a passion as a drifter. Kuon smirked when he saw Kyouko's confused face. The bouquet was left forgotten near the front door where he had swept her off her feet minutes ago.

Kyouko looked at Kuon. He was watching the movie intently. I thought he will… he will… She sighed and, No! Why do I sound disappointed? No no... He's only toying with me. That playboy! She cursed inwardly. She stared at him furiously. She got her legs up and on her knees on the sofa. She faced him with a murderous look on her face.

Kuon noticed her state and tilted his head a little. He turned to look at her with a smirk on his face. "What?"

"You enjoyed toying with me, did you?" Her face darkened.

He shrugged and did the American gesture she hated so much.

Kyouko's face darkened and then she smiled her lying smile. "Corn, you know what happen to a kid when he is being naughty?"

Kuon cringed inwardly. She's angry. "No?"

"His mamma will spank him on his butt." She smiled brighter.

"Oh, that must be hurt?" He grinned happily. "I don't know you are into SM, Kyouko."

Kyouko's smile faltered. "What's SM?" She looked confused.

"You want to know?" Kuon raised his hand to her face. He wanted to laugh badly. She asked for it.

Whatever it was, it must be something fishy. She thought.

"Do you want me to teach you?" he asked, getting closer to her.

Kyouko shivered. "No, thank you! No, thank you! No, thank you!" she screamed and cried loudly.

Kuon was startled and immediately felt guilty. He had never expected that she would cry. "Stupid! I'm not going to do anything to you! Please don't cry!" He reached for her and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry! Please don't cry!" He ended up comforting her for his lame joke. He should have known that Kyouko was not the type that would accept such a joke, even he was pretty sure that she didn't understand at all.

I'm so dead! If I'm not careful enough, I'll scare her away like the last time. I don't want her run away from me again, he thought.

"Are you sure you want to go out to eat? You've just recovered," Kuon asked. "What about your fans?"

"Hmm… I'm sure. It had been a very long time since the last time I came to Daruma-ya. We can put some disguises," she said, busy putting a short brown wig over her head. "Besides, I'm not sure when will I have the time to go there. Tomorrow will be busy again."

"We?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes, of course. You are a rising model and actor in Japan, thanks to the advert. You should put on some disguises too. Your height alone already gave you away, Kuon-san." She turned to him and smiled. "Let me help you with your disguises."

She made him sit down in front of her make-up table. She smiled and he smiled back.

"Don't worry! I'm not going to make you look weird!" she said.

She took out some hair gels and put it on his hair. She shaped it in Clark Kent's style. She took out round glasses with thick black frame from her drawer, and put it for him. Both of them looked at the mirror and smiled.

"I think I look like a nerd," Kuon said. He tilted his head right and left to look at his reflection from both sides.

"A handsome nerd."

He grinned. "You think so?" He grabbed her left hand and kissed it. "Thank you."

She quickly pulled her hand back and blushed furiously. "I've told you don't do that! You really enjoy toying with me, do you?"

"It's just a kiss on the hand," He shrugged. "Why are you being so serious?"

She stood silent and then Natsu's signature grin appeared. She leant down and kissed his left cheek soundly.

He was stunned shock. He didn't expect it at all. "Um…" His face reddened.

Kyouko or rather Natsu laughed. "There… you see! That's a pay back. It will teach you not to toy with me, baby." She pointed at his lipstick stained cheek.

He gaped. Kyouko? No way! Who is she?

"What? It is only a kiss on the cheek," she imitated him. "Why are you being so serious?" She giggled. Two can play the game, Kuon-kun.

She left him sat still on the seat and entered her walk-in-closet. Oh my God! Did I really do it? Oh no… Oh no… What's he going to think of me? To think that I'm always a modest girl. Stupid Natsu's pride! You ruined me!

"Kyouko-chan? Are you finished?" Kuon knocked on the closet door.

Kyouko was brought out of her thought. "Yes! Coming…"

"Kyouko-chan, it has been a while," Daruma-ya's Okami greeted the girl.

"It has been a while, Okami-san." Kyouko bowed to the older lady and put on a bright smile. "Ah, this is my friend, Tsuruga Ren."

Kuon bowed to the Okami-san and greeted her. I think I've seen her before?

Okami-san led both of them to the counter. Taishou noticed Kyouko immediately and gave her a nod while the younger lady greeted him and introduced Ren to him. Taisho looked at Ren and grunted something unclear.

I've seen this man too. Oh right, the dolls...

"Kyouko-chan, how is Shou-kun doing?" Okami-san asked.

Kyouko stiffened and Kuon cringed.

Both Okami-san and Taishou immediately noticed her unusual reaction. Kuon looked at her worriedly. He was afraid that she would have a breakdown.

She managed to force a smile and answered, "Ah, we broke up. Sorry, I don't know how he is doing."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Okami-san said apologetically while Taisho just grunted loudly.

Kuon sighed in relief upon hearing her answer though it was rather strained.

Okami-san averted their attentions and asked them what they wanted to order. Kyouko had picked the orders for both herself and Kuon. It amused Taishou and Okami-san. Kyouko had never ordered for someone she brought there. Not even Kanae, Chiori or Shou. Okami-san watched her happy expression when she ate and chatted with Kuon. She noticed the young man also had a happy and gentle expression towards the younger lady.

Taishou watched all the exchanged with knitted brow.

"What do you do for living, young man?" Taisho asked Kuon.

"Oh, I'm working as a model and actor in LME, same as Kyouko."

Thud! Taisho chopped the meat hard and surprised Kuon. Did I somehow offend him? He thought confusedly. He glanced at Kyouko and noticed that she watched Taisho's knife chopping the meat smoothly.

Okami-san giggled and nudged her husband.

"How do you know Kyouko?" he asked again.

"Taishou-san, Ren is my childhood friend," she said. "He's from the US."

Another loud thud from the chopping board was heard. "Gaijin?"

Kuon cringed. "I live there since I was little, but I am a Japanese, Sir." Does he hate me perhaps?

The whole dinner session was intense for Kuon since many of his answers to Taishou's questions earned him many loud thud of the knife touching the chopping board as replies. He was afraid if he somehow had offended the man.

"Kyouko-chan, take care! Come again if you have time. You too, Tsuruga-kun. You are always welcomed here," Okami-san said. "Right, Dear?" She turned back to her husband. Taisho harrumphed again.

Kyouko smiled and bowed to the two elders. Kuon followed suit.

"Kyouko-chan, did I perhaps offend Taishou-san?" He asked when they had settled inside the car.

Kyouko looked at him confusedly. "Hmm? Taishou-san is always like that."

"Including the loud chopping voices?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes." Kyouko laughed when she saw Kuon's confused expression. "Relax! Taishou-san is clumsy. He barely said anything right? He doesn't hate you. In fact, I think he likes you."

"How so?" Kuon asked, completely confused. He didn't think that the older man liked him by how he responded to his answers.

"Taishou-san rarely talks. He seemed to talk to you a lot tonight. At least I have never seen him talked that much."

"Oh!" Kuon didn't understand at all, but if Kyouko said so, he'd believe it. He drove slowly. He was deep in thought. Kyouko smiled when she looked at his expression.

Taishou-san must have scared Kuon-san pretty badly. Well, Taishou-san is scary anyway even though he has a gentle heart. But really… to think that Kuon-san is afraid of him… She giggled inwardly.

Kyouko was surprised when Kuon stopped the car. It brought her back from her thought. She saw him getting off the car. He said that he needed to buy something. She nodded and waited in the car.

He came back not long after with a bouquet of red roses in his hand. He put the bouquet on her lap. "For you."

"Why'd you give me flowers?" she asked confusedly.

"I can't?"

"No, it just. I don't want you to spend your money on me," she said bashfully. "Thank you. I like it."

He smiled contently. He saw her smelling the roses from the corner of his eyes.

"But, Kuon-san, you should give the flowers to your girlfriend instead of me. I feel bad about it."

"Kyouko-chan, I don't have a girlfriend. You don't have to feel bad."

"Eh? But…" she protested.

"I just don't date. Is it weird?"

"To think someone your age doesn't have a girlfriend is weird."

"For someone your age, you don't have a boyfriend either. That's weird."

"I just no longer had." She looked sad.

"Ah, sorry, I don't mean to bring that up," he said apologetically.

"It's fine. I'm over him. I have acting. That's enough," her voice trembled when she said it.

He sighed. "Let's not talk about this! I don't want you to cry over that bastard. He's not worth you crying over him. Let's talk about something else."

"You don't have to worry about me! I'm fine, really!"

"Ah, my granny is smiling," je joked. He laughed when he saw her scowled at him.

"Stupid grandson!" She ruffled his hair. "Ah, stupid hair gels."

"Serve you right!"

A/N : This chapter was kind like a filler and it's short, really. The end of the whole sick moment, some KuonXKyouko's moment. Sorry, they got intruder too. :D It will go back to the track once they go back into the business. I mean, going back to work. ^ ^ Thanks for those who reviewing, subscribing and favouring this story. See you next chapter!